376 
LANGUAGE. 
waii, there also the k is substituted for t, kanaka, man ; for 
taugata. The Sandwich dialect differs from the Tahitian in 
the frequent introduction of the k and l, and the rejection 
of f } as in the Samoan group, although it is occasionally 
used as fale for ware in New Zealand. The Marquesan 
admits the k and rejects the r. The Rarotonga dialect 
closely resembles the Maori, by rejecting the / and using 
the k and nga , but differs in not using the h, thus in Tahiti, 
va* a canoe, in Rarotonga becomes waka, the same as in New 
Zealand, and aro in Tahiti is in Maori ngaro. The Samoa 
has /, i, and Z, which renders the dialect peculiarly soft 
and agreeable, this is the only instance in which the sibilant 
is used. The Tongatapu uses the l for the r, and differs from 
all others by using the j, thus resembling the Fiji, which is 
assimilated to the languages spoken by Melanesians, who 
more frequently use consonants, and occasionally terminate 
their words with them, which is never done by the true 
Polynesians ; their pronouns also are very complete, and 
far excel those of many other parts; an instance may be 
given — “ let us go/’ this may or may not include the person 
addressed, but in the Polynesian it is clearly understood, 
as it contains a double dual and plural, by which in the 
former the person addressed is either included or excluded. 
The Singalese alphabet has the nga , as well as the Maori,* 
this letter is totally wanting in Hawaiki, which is regarded 
as the cradle of their race, as well as religion, and many of 
their traditions, manners and customs. 
Their most ancient gods are evidently the same ; the Maori 
god Orongo is there Orono ; and Tangaroa the Polynesian 
Neptune, is there Taaroa, and in Tahaiti and Tonga Tan- 
galoa ; but the name of the god Maui remains unchanged in 
all those islands. 
In Tonga, where the/ is found, the waka of New Zealand 
becomes faka, and wahine fahine , even in New Zealand a 
similar dialectic change is to be observed in different parts, 
in the north the letter d is used for r as dua instead of 
* Sir T. E. Tennant's Ceylon. — Vol. i. p. 328. 
